Emporia Freedom Fest 2025 Run-Ride-Ruck-Release and Recognize!

Warriors! Earn your coveted silver spur and become an honorary member of the 1st Tanks 635th Armor Regiment Order of the Spur! This three-event challenge begins with a 5K Run with self-transition to Bike for a 40 mile gravel grinder. You have four (4) hours to complete these two events. Upon completion your time stops and you will move to the Spur Challenge Lane to conduct multiple tasks that all Armor/Armor Cav Spur Candidate must master to earn the coveted Spurs. Don't stress the Spur lane- we will have a Soldier coach with you the whole way to guide and lead you through this amazing experience. This abbreviated lane is a ton of fun but will test your mental and physical stamina after a fast paced run and ride. Total distance you will cover for event (all three phases) is 45 miles.
For more details and the how to manual, visit emporiafreedomfest.org.

Returning challenger? Complete your fifth Warrior Spur Challenge and earn your gold spur. Ten (10) time completers will have the opportunity to earn the 1st Tank's Stetson! Each year in between ensure you get your leather tab to attach to your spur and signed certificate from the Commander.

Remember to send us info and pic of your service member Hero you are participating in honor of, and we'll post this to our FB page and website as well prior to the event.

Your on-site 5K run/walk or stroll is a great way to enjoy the outdoors as you cross the river at Soden's Grove Bridge Start/Finish line and run down our famous rural gravel roads into the Flint Hills.

All participants receive our very cool shirt, edible medal, challenge coin AND a chance to win some great prizes to include one of our six custom trophies (made from old tank parts) and Emporia Main Street gift certificates. We will post your start, race, and finish pics on our Social media pages and times on our website.

Please send us info and pic of your service member Hero you are participating in honor of and we'll post this to our FB page and website as well prior to the event.

Choose your distance! Choose your Location and Date/Time!
NOTE: You can start your virtual event any time after September 11.
Your virtual Freedom Run/Walk or Stroll is a great way to pick your time and location to finish your 5K. We just have one request - that sometime during your run please pass by or finish at your local Veterans memorial, park or significant site that honors our Veterans. Take a picture and send it to our event Facebook page or race coordinator

Once you are done simply submit your
1. Time, distance and date
2. A photo of at your Veterans memorial/park and or finish line to (email) community@emporiamainstreet.com

All participants receive our event watch cap, edible medal, challenge coin AND a chance to win some great prizes to include one of our six custom trophies (made from old tank parts) and Emporia Main Street gift certificates. We will post your pics on our Social media pages and times on our website. Challenge goes live 11th of September (Patriots Day) and closes the 11th of November (Veterans Day) each year.

Please send us info and pic of your service member Hero you are participating in honor of and we'll post this to our FB page and website as well prior to the event.

Enjoy our out and back route that takes you directly to the South Lyon County Veterans Memorial in Olpe Kansas. This ride supports USD 252 Veterans Honor Flight program. The route is named in honor of local Marine and WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt Grant Timmerman - Your on-site Freedom Ride is a great way to enjoy the outdoors as you cross the river at the Old Soden's Grove Bridge Start/Finish line and ride down our famous rural gravel roads into the Flint Hills. This event is self-timed!

All participants receive our very cool shirt, edible medal, challenge coin AND a chance to win some great prizes to include one of our six custom trophies (made from old tank parts) and Emporia Main Street gift certificates. We will post your start, race, and finish pics on our Social media pages and times on our website.

Please send us info and pic of your service member Hero you are participating in honor of and we'll post this to our FB page and website as well prior to the event.

Choose your Location/Choose your Start Time and Date!
Please start your virtual event anytime after September 11.
For latest info please visit www.emporiafreedomfest.org
New course length and new charitable purpose: Your virtual SGT Timmerman Freedom Ride is a great way to pick your time and location to finish your 20 Miler. We just have one request - that sometime during your run you start at, pass by or finish at your local Veterans memorial, park or significant site that honors our Veterans.

Once you are done simply submit your
1. Time, distance and date
2. A photo of at your Veterans memorial/park

To: community@emporiamainstreet.com

All participants receive our very cool shirt and a chance to win some great prizes to include one of our six custom trophies (made from old tank parts) and Emporia Main Street gift certificates. We will post your pics on our Social media pages and times on our website.

Pick your route, pick your date and time!
Please start your virtual event on or after September 11.

Your virtual GEN Eisenhower Freedom Ride is a great way to pick your time and location to finish your 52 Miler. We just have one request - that sometime during your ride you start at, pass by or finish at your local Veterans memorial, park or significant site that honors our Veterans.

Once you are done simply submit your
1. Time, distance and date
2. A photo of at your Veterans memorial/park

To emscommunitydevelopment@emporia-Kansas.gov

All participants receive our very cool shirt, edible medal, challenge coin AND a chance to win some great prizes to include one of our six custom trophies (made from old tank parts) and Emporia Main Street gift certificates. We will post your pics on our Social media pages and times on our website.

Before your event please send us a picture of who you are honoring (Veteran/family member etc) We will post your pics on our Social media pages and on our website.

For latest event information please visit emporiafreedomfest.org

Open to all service members and civilians, this unique Ruck March is a partnership event with our Enlisted Association of Kansas and our Norwegian military partners. Thanks to the Norwegian Embassy we can now open this event, sponsored by the Enlisted Association of the Kansas Army National guard to all. Total distance for Ruck is 18.6m or 30K.

This event is held world-wide and many will compete often to earn first the Bronze then Silver and Gold Norwegian badge. This badge is also authorized for wear on the USARMY Service Uniform.

This Ruck march is open to all but make sure you read the instructions. The standards are high and the event is well worth the challenge! For a sample training plan, packing list and approved attire/standards visit emporiafreedomfest.org

All participants receive our very cool swag, incredible edible chocolate medal, challenge coin, AND a chance to win some great prizes to include one of our six custom trophies (made from old tank parts) and Emporia Main Street gift certificates. We will post your pics on our Social media pages and times on our website.

Before and after your event please send us a picture of who you are honoring (Veteran/family member etc) We will post your pics on our Social media pages and on our website.

This event is for children / kids able to ride a bike and 10 years of age or younger. Participants will be observable at all times by parents and guardians.

All activities for the "mission" will be child/age appropriate and safe.  Face painting will only be allowed if approved by a parent/guardian for each child.  Distance for the ride will be .5 miles out and .5 miles back.  Just south of the start point bridge will be the mission training area for parents and friends to observe the riders as well as their "mission phase" of the event. A map for this route and area is in the maps and timeline section of our site website.  At the secret mission point each participant will be given several age appropriate tasks to complete that have a "military mission style."

Participants earn a mission complete certificate, have opportunity to camo up with face paint and a custom event bib/bike registration plate. Free and limited to kids 10 and under.